Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tip #77: Copying Course Materials by Exporting and Importing

Tip: You can copy materials into a Blackboard 9 course from previous courses by Exporting and Importing (from BB7 to BB9 and from BB9 to BB9).

NOTE: This process does not overwrite your Blackboard 9 course entirely but rather add the material you are importing into it. You may need to rearrange or remove some items after the import process has fully completed.

Here’s how to Export and Import:

Part I Export

Log into the source course from which you will be copying the material.

Go to Export/Archive page.

Blackboard 7: Click on Control Panel then on Export Course under the Course Options section

Blackboard 9: Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Export/Archive Course

Click on the Export button and select all Course Materials that you would like to export.

NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.

NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade CenterColumns in BB9).

Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.

Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “This action has been successfully queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”

NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. If that does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).

Once you receive the confirmation email, return to the Export/Archive page then right-click and save the new Export file to a location where you can easily find it such as your desktop.

Part II Import

Log into the destination course.

Click on the Packages and Utilities section of the Control Panel and then on Import Package/View Logs.

Click on the Import Package button.

Under Select a Package, click on the Browse button, browse to where you saved the Export file on your computer, select the file, and click on Open.

Select all Course Materials that you would like to import.

NOTE: Do not select Settings as this will cause some parts of your Blackboard 9 course to be disabled.

NOTE: If you select any Assessments, Assignments, or graded Discussions, then you must also select Gradebook Items (Grade CenterColumns in BB9).

Likewise, if you select Gradebook Items (Grade Center Columns in BB9), then you must select Assessments, Assignments, and Discussions.

Click Submit. At this point, you should receive a message that states “Success: This action has been queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”

NOTE: You should receive this email within 2-3 hours. After you receive this email, it could take up to another 8 hours for the new content to fully display. If either part does not happen, please contact Blackboard Support (blackboard@twu.edu).